Obituary of Raymond Leonard "Ray" Therrien

Raymond Therrien, a long time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C, formerly of Pouce Coupe, B.C, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 8, 2016 in Rotary Manor, Dawson Creek at the age of 82 years. Raymond Leonard Therrien was born in Pouce Coupe on February 25, 1934 to Pat and Lydia Therrien. He was the third of four children. Ray had fond memories of his childhood and often during visits with family and friends he would relate back to some of them like skipping school but getting caught, playing ball, horseback riding with cousins and friends, tipping over outhouses at Halloween. He had a strong work ethic, which he nurtured from the age of 8 when he delivered groceries around town from the general store. He would also fill coal boxes and even empty chamber pots for those unable to do it themselves. As Ray started into his teenage years, and until he married he was part of the family dray business moving freight then gravel work and building on the Hart Highway. He was always willing and ready to accept responsibility. When he was 17 and building roads in the Moberly area, he was in charge of the work crew. When he was around 20 years old, he and his best friend Charlie DeWetter, drove down to Mexico and spent three months touring the country. Shortly after he returned he got his welding ticket, beginning in Edmonton and finishing it in Vancouver. On February 2, 1957 he married his lifelong partner, Rose Morin. They moved to a quarter section of land west of Pouce Coupe where, with the help of their family, they built up a cattle ranching operation. Their first two children, Debbie and Danny, were born during this time. A roping arena was built there, and on many weekends and evenings he, family and friends, would gather for hours on end and practice calf roping. It was around this time that he and a group of friends started the "Rope-'n-Saddle Club". As a Director he was instrumental in starting up the Dawson Creek Rodeo again; right from cutting timbers out of the bush to physically building the grounds, chutes, and corrals to organizing the actual rodeos. He also began competing at the rodeos that were held in Northeastern B.C. and Northwest Alberta in both calf roping and bull riding. In 1963 they moved to Cotillion, Alberta and began grain farming. Aided by the family, they again built up the 'homestead' with a house, barn, garage and outbuildings. They cleared a section of land and got it into grain production. In late 1969, the family moved back to the Pouce Coupe area where their third child Patricia was born. They still farmed the land in Cotillion until they sold it in 1973. Ray worked as a welder, then welder/foreman at Tidy Tanks from 1970 to 1978 when he became unable to work due to MS. It was during this time at Tiny Tanks that he became interested in river boating. He built several, some for others and two different ones for himself. He enjoyed taking the family on trips up the Peace River and on various lakes. He also enjoyed going on hunting trips up the Murray River. For a short time, eighteen months, in 1979-1980, they tried life on Vancouver Island, but ended up returning to the Peace River country, where they had a home built on a quarter section of land on High Ridge which afforded a view that covered Pouce Coupe, Dawson Creek, and at night, the lights of Rolla. Again they built up the home site by adding a barn, corrals, outbuildings, and landscaping. Although the MS was progressing and Ray was not able to do as much as he wanted, he was again able to enjoy his horses. He bought a team and liked to spend time driving them and giving wagon rides. When the property on High Ridge became too much for them to handle they moved to an apartment in Heritage Heights in July of 1990. He was unable to walk but that didn't stop him. For years you could see them every morning for coffee at the Co-Op, visiting with their friends. He loved to go to various homes of his family and was always wanting to know what everyone was doing. In January of 2008, he moved into the Pouce Coupe Care Home and then to the Rotary Manor. He still enjoyed going out for coffee and visits, the family times and the entertainment provided at Rotary Manor. He appreciated and enjoyed the staff at the manor, who always commented on his smile. Ray leaves to mourn Rose, his wife of almost 60 years, his three children and their spouses, one sister, two brothers and a sister-in-law, five foster siblings and their spouses, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. A celebration of Ray's life was held on September 25, 2016 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Heritage Heights Apartment Complex in the Activities Room 11335-17 Street, Dawson Creek. Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ray to Rotary Manor Resident Council Fund 1121-90 Avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 5A3. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium